Shut down illegal wildlife parts trafficking network

A pangolin. Image: As originally published by One Green Planet.

Shelby Hettler, One Green Planet | August 30, 2021

Recently, Nigerian authorities worked in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission to seize 7,137 kg of pangolin scales, 4.6 kg of pangolin claws, and 846.34 kg of ivory from three men who were part of a notorious West African wildlife parts trafficking network. The network has been linked to around 50% of the major seizures over the past three years. Thus, this bust has been a huge step towards stopping these traffickers.

Pangolins are one of the most trafficked animals in the world, with an estimated one million pangolins having been trafficked in the last decade. These shy scaly creatures are poached for their meat, which is considered a delicacy, as well as their scales, which are used in traditional medicines. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the belief that their scales can cure various ailments. They are getting closer and closer to extinction and while this seizure was incredibly valuable, pangolins still need help.

Steve Carmody, Wildlife Justice Commission Director of Programs, explained, “This operation is a major victory for law enforcement and for the Wildlife Justice Commission, but we must acknowledge that other actors will rise to take the place of those recently arrested. The Wildlife Justice Commission will use the evidence gathered through this arrest to continue our investigations into the trafficking of endangered wildlife and support the efforts of law enforcement agencies fighting wildlife crime. It takes a network to defeat a network.”

Read the original story here.

Shelby Hettler, One Green Planet | August 30, 2021

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Shelby Hettler, One Green Planet | August 30, 2021

Previous PostKenya is home to 36,280 elephants, 1,739 rhinos - animal census

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